Determined!!!!!
 

I don't know how many times I have said this, but I am determined to learn how to machine quilt on my sewing machine. I know it's practice, practice, practice, but do you ladies/gentelmen have any tips that can help me on my journey? Books? Tapes? Classes? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Google Drag Queen Feathers for a tutorial that for me is the easiest technique. Also, Google Leah Day. I still have a lot of practice to do, but every time I practice, it gets a little easier.

Anything you think will work for you! Some people like to learn in person, some from videos, books, etc. But, no matter which way you go, or all ways, you will still have to practice, practice, and then practice more. Good luck and have fun with it.

Is there a site that shows how to do pebbles?

There are a lot of tutorials on Youtube, they have helped me. I also learned to turn my machine a quarter turn so that the left side of the machine goes to the back, it helps me see better. I use gloves and I raise the side of the machine that is to the back up a little with two door stops, that also helps me see better. I hope this makes sense.

Do lots and lots of Quilts for Kids. They are a smaller size, you can do a simple meander, you will be motivated to do your best, and when they are done, you send them away and never see them again, BUT the kids who get them will not ever complain about your quilting.

I really like the Pajama Quilter DVD. :-)

. Just google FMQ pebbles. There are several links and you tube videos. Seems easier if you can get the hang of doing loops and get them circular then just work them closer together until they are pebbles :)

. The biggest tip that worked for me is to "look where you are going" when you are stitching. Once you do that you'll find you are much more successful. Also, I found, and still do, that fabric handling control takes practice and discipline. I.e. Don't release control of your fabric until the needle stops stitching and have it stop in the needle down position if possible. When you start to stitch, make sure you are not placing pressure on the fabric against the needle, otherwise, when you begin to stitch, you will get a little jog in your line of stitching. Those are the big ones for me...maybe it will help you.

I am new at FMQ as well, since I am new at it, I haven't really relaxed while doing it yet. I have found I cannot FMQ very long or I screw it up. When I begin to get tired it's time to quit.

Leah Day is doing a year-long quilt along teaching FMQ for beginning quilters. You might want to check this out.

This is so TRUE!! You want to be able to move the fabric at the same speed that the feed dogs would if they were engaged. I was so lucky to take a class from Harriet Hargrave. She has always been in my opinion the best! Her book "Heirloom Machine Quilting" should be a staple in any machine quilter library. Take a quilting class at your LQS. You will learn MORE than you could watching videos.

luana is correct. Make charity quilts for kids and practice on them. That is what is done at the local Gammill dealership. They let their students practice on charity quilt tops made by the local quilt guild.

I think my problem with FMQing is the same as my problem with creative writing versus technical writing. I am an excellent technical writer but have no imagination. I am fine doing straight line quilting. I need to find some way to loosen up my extreme "left brainism".

I have been attempting to FMQ and I have just recently purchased Leah Days Craftsy class and the class takes you through FMQ from the beginning, what products help, and other classmates have super responses to cheaper alternatives (like purchasing a slip and sew mat for half the cost of the Supreme Slider ),It is a great class, check it out.

I second the Leah Day comment. Check her out. Do her practice samples as suggested.

Leah Day videos have been very helpful for me. The thing that has helped me the most, though, is using the Stop/Start key rather than the foot pedal when I FMQ. My stitches are a lot more consistent that way.

Two things I have done is practice using paper and no thread. Draw a design you like and just stitch over it so you get the muscle memory of making curves and such. Also, get some cheap printed panel fabrics and quilt them by following the lines. It's like coloring in a coloring book, and you can always get fancy inside the designs to practice as you progress. You can make them into kids quilts, or table mats if you like to use your work for a purpose.

I have a Juki 2010q which I love but was having problems, like you. When I spoke to my dealer
he said "slow hand, fast foot". Since I tried this, after three years, I find there is a lot of truth in
this. Good luck and keep practicing.

It is just like when you are driving a car. Look where you want to go. Your stitch length and speed will come as you practice. We all find the speed that is right for us when we are FMQing. And, wine, a glass of wine always helps me relax and things move smoother.

I really like the videos on free motion quilting by Leah Day...easy to understand and there's over 200 of them in different patterns...search for her videos on UTube

There are several things that can help. I found using a low loft batting. (such as warm and natural or warm and white or something along those lines) really made a difference for me. Make sure your quilt is supported all around and if you have an extended table for your machine or have it inset in a table so the table is flush with the sewing surface it helps a lot. Trying to FMQ on a small free arm area is awful! One of the mistakes I made all the time (still do once in a while) is moving quite a bit faster on the curves. Kind of a swoop factor. That causes problems.
I also recommend Leah Day's tutorials and her craftsy class. Also Ann Peterson and Angela Waters craftsy classes on quilting. Craftsy has sales periodically and you may be able to get the classes very cheaply.
Beyond that, relax, and you will get better and better as you practice and work on the skill.

Thank you sew much for all the great tips!! I may not have asked the initial question... but I sure could use the great advice!!
:)

Go to Youtube and search for Leah Day. She has a lot of videos on how to do free motion quilting. She has a"quilt along" that builds from basic to more complex. Also, if you go to her website she has lots of quilting patterns and she has a short video on each one that shows you how to do it.

Today Craftsy has a class on sale for $14.99 for quilting on your domestic machine.

I have the worst meandering on earth, but making simple daisies, flowers, and leaves and vines seems to flow naturally for me. I've also found Free Motion Quilting by Angela Walters very helpful. She LAQ's but the book is written for using a DSM, too. I finally just started quilting on throws and pieces that were going to be used on the sofa. Mine or someone elses. I get more bent out of shape when it's a quilt that will be spread out on our bed. Bed quilts for my kids, I'm not so worried about... They have so darn many stuffed animals, who can see the bed, anyway?

If you are on Facebook, a new group, called Machine Quilting on Domestics, has started. It's a closed group, but click on "join group" there is a good amount of info and tips there......

I have found that really practicing on paper while sitting in front of the TV makes SOOO much difference before going to a sandwich. Also, the Craftsy classes are just awesome- you can forward just to the stitch you want to practice and watch it over and over. Leah Day, Angela Walters(more forgiving), and more advanced Cindy Needham. I also have Patsy Thompsom's DVD's, and a variety of books from JoAnns (with coupons). Just embrace the process and enjoy it. It won't be perfect in the beginning, but the mistakes won't show in the scheme of things!!

I conquered the meander by thinking of a jigsaw puzzle. It seems to help by creating "pieces" that interlock rather than just curves. You just make a puzzle out of the quilt, never making a straight line.

I have enjoyed and appreciated some of the Craftsy classes I have undertaken. Most of all I like to work on the projects as I go along. I purchased a medium quality muslin-a bolt as a matter of fact and use batting scraps to make quilt sandwiches. I made some place mat size and some 36 inches square, 45 inches square. One real truth presented itself-I need some kind of design to follow such as a stencil pattern or drawn on paper and then pinned to the quilt. I cannot simply free-form a design as I have seen in some of the videos. However, I should not have been surprised at that because I cannot draw or paint a picture so why would I expect to be able to draw with my sewing machine needle. I just accept this limitation and use other tools to get my design on my quilt. Long story short I tend to be drawn to instruction that helps me use the tools as opposed to the free form classes.

Ok, I know everyone goes on and on about practice, practice and it is important but so is training your brain to be in that mindset. It really helps you be on track when you start quilting. I have an eraseable board and marker from the dollar store and just practice doodleing or any other design that I might do. My teacher is a great LA plus machine quilter and she's won awards for her work but still practices this method. She takes a paper and puts 12, 3, 6 and 9 on her paper like a clock top, bottom and sides and then it gives her a direction to go and helps her keep on track. Leah Day has a great website with lots of free help, Craftsy.com has lost of classes, some mini ones that are free and you can take them anytime and you never lose access once you sign up for them.

After all the practice and actually doing a lot of FMQ, I finally bought a pair of the gloves and that makes it a lot easier to move the quilt around. Buy the smallest size that you can get your hands into, as that keeps the gloves from moving around on your hands. I did most of my FMQ on individual blocks, and then graduated to strips of t shirt quilts. Faster speed on the machine helped me to do smoother curves with no jerking sideways, etc. HOpe you enjoy it as much as I do.

There are literally hundreds of great quilting tutorials on You Tube. That's where I finally learned how to do feathers, and I practiced on some placemats I made for my family. Good luck!

EXCELLENT ADVICE!!! My problem is adjusting the tension on my machine.

Gloves do make a difference, rather its the machine quilting ones or the gardening ones that are cheaper, or even rubber gloves. They allow you to move your fabric around easier and not grab the fabric which doesn't give a smooth stitch and it also makes your muscles more tense. My FMQ always looks better when I'm going faster which is what most teachers tell you as well. Make a bunch of squares of quilt fabric which is the 3 layers, top batting and backing so that you get a better feel and then practice away. You can then sew the blocks together for a throw or a dog bed or the kids to play with; no waste this way.

Your hands must move slower than your speed. Relax before doing FMQ or your tenseness will show in the quilting. I wear rubber tipped gloves, set top tension at 2, take pressure off the presser foot, use a table next to your machine table to help hold the quilt.

YES! leahday.com. She does pebbles as one of her 365 days designs. Also just about anything else you might want to learn.

CHECK OUT leahday.com. She will take you from easy to just about anything you might want to do.

Have a glass of wine before you start. it will help you to relax and stop worrying so much. Repeat dosage when your shoulders get tired. DON'T take the wine to your sewing space. {wine stains on fabric}

I took 2-3 classes on FMQ. They got me started but I have pretty much given up on it. Once in awhile on a charity quilt I will give it a try but not on anything that is significant. I know it is practice, but I don't feel like practicing. Thank God, I have a machine that does a tremendous amount of decorative stitching and that is what I do. Anything else, goes to the Longarmer!